I’m still clearing out, around here.
Today I have someone coming to pick up an old printer, and in the past few days we’ve gotten rid of (forgive me if I’ve already told you this) two bins of books, the exersaucer, infant car seat, bag of baby clothes, a bag of trash and broken toys from the basement and a bag of trash from the office, which I continue to plow through. Cleaning out the junk drawer and the junk basket, both in the kitchen, also yielded an entire bag, and I smile when I open the drawer now.
It feels good to get some of this stuff out.
I’m a constant declutterer, but this is the hidden stuff or the big stuff, now. Things that lived in drawers, out of sight and unbeknownst to visitors, but known to us. The secret clutter.
My plan for today is to freecycle, along with the printer, the baby walker toy, because clearly, he doesn’t need it. When I think back, it was one of those purchases we could have done without. I bought it, thinking it would help him learn to walk. He played with the musical buttons on the front, but didn’t learn to walk with it. No, he did that all on his own. I’m upset with myself that I fell into that trap.
Anyway, I’ll also see what else can go, today, and perhaps list a few items on eBay. The boys will be in rec for the morning, so it will just be me, Tiny and Monkey Girl. I know she’d like to help, and Tiny…well, he’s just inspiring, because the less “stuff” laying around, the less “stuff” for him to get his hands on.
What have you recently gotten rid of, whether through donation, sale, freecycle, or just plain trash?
Hi Amy,
Sounds like you’ve made a lot of progress. I should send you a picture of my office. It’s become a central housing facility for everything in the house that doesn’t have a home. It’s frustrating because I really like the coziness of my office and love the view of the woods from it. However, it’s not fun working in there because it’s so cluttered with stuff.
Peace
Comment by Jeff Haas — June 25, 2012 @ 7:49 am |
I’m feeling SO much better since I’ve been clearing out our office. It, too, was the central dumping ground, and was where the boxes that were packed at the last second, last summer when me moved, wound up. So, now that I’ve really broken through, I feel really great about it. I can’t relax in a room that is cluttered. Just start, one piece of paper at a time. 🙂
Comment by abozza — June 25, 2012 @ 8:16 am |
I’ve gotten rid of furniture that was given to me but I never really loved. I’m trying to get rid of toys. I have too many, and my basement looks like a toy graveyard. The kids won’t play down there because they say it’s creepy. I don’t blame them, I hate basements too. Also, I got rid of most of my old summer wardrobe. The furniture and toys were sold on a South Jersey Facebook page titled resale renegades, and the clothes were donated to my favorite goodwill store.
Comment by Tracy Bryce — June 25, 2012 @ 8:08 am |
I just got the boys to go through their toys in the basement and pull out some toys they don’t really play with to donate. They did a pretty good job, and we re-organized the toys in the process. We also had a big talk about bringing less into the house.
Comment by abozza — June 25, 2012 @ 8:11 am |
I am so many months behind in decluttering that our whole house is screaming for a giant purge. I just need to muster up the motivation to get to it! Summer is finally here, so no more excuses, right?
http://fromgrindtowhine.com/
Comment by StaceyMaisch — June 25, 2012 @ 8:13 am |
Summer is the BEST time! You don’t have all the nesting instincts that fall and winter bring out! 🙂
Comment by abozza — June 25, 2012 @ 8:17 am |
I’m ready to hire Pete Lorenzo’s company to purge my attic!!! I have bags and bags of my clothes I just can’t seem to part with! They don’t fit, I guess it’s me being hopeful. Plus I have so many toys, I could open a toy store. My attic is a walk up and is just horrible right now. Come to my house when you finish yours!!! Lol
Comment by jenzacc — June 25, 2012 @ 8:43 am |
LOL…I’d love to! I love decluttering and organizing other people’s stuff. 🙂
Comment by abozza — June 25, 2012 @ 10:44 am |
Jeff – Sounds like we have the same office. Whenever visiters are coming, the contents around the house which are laying around get dumped. I feel like its a dumping ground. HATE IT! I get a good start & things are starting to come together & then its time to step away & by the time I get back to it, the dumping ground has taken over again.
Comment by Carla Corcoran — June 25, 2012 @ 9:17 am |
That’s why I’m trying to get it all done early in the summer. I have little to no running around to do after dropping the boys off at rec, and I can stay with it. Because, like you, once I step away, when I get back, we’re in the same place. I think that getting some office furniture will help us.
Comment by abozza — June 25, 2012 @ 11:07 am |
We are very fortunate down here in Raleigh. Our sub-division has twice yearly neighborhood yard sales. They take care of the details and all you have to do is get your “stuff” ready. It really forces you to focus on those dates and PURGE away. Plus you get great exposure with so many families participating. Heather and I have developed a great system for packaging up kids clothes that people have commented on so we continue to do pretty well.
Good luck to everyone else who just has to get started!
Comment by Carla — June 25, 2012 @ 4:23 pm |
I LOVE a garage sale. I don’t think I have anything anyone would want, anymore, though, which I guess is a good thing, because I’ve purged my way down to “not much.” 🙂
Comment by abozza — June 25, 2012 @ 5:06 pm |